On The Download Issue 11: Summer Lineup

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I don't know about you guys, but the beginning of the summer is always full of "I've been meaning to do this, let's get it done!" and left very little time for gaming. So, instead of my general impressions on a downloadable title, let us now take a look at the lineup for this summer as far as downloadable titles go based on systems. PC, PSN, and XBLA will be listed to the best of our current knowledge. (Just a hint: this would be a great time to chime in and let us know we're missing upcoming games!)

PC

PC is an interesting system for On The Download, simply because we very easily can include full release titles because of Steam - we can only guess that they'll be at a discounted price sometime after their release because Steam likes to tempt us so. So far, we are not differentiating between PC steam, and Mac steam. Fingers crossed that a lot of these titles are interchangeable.

Alien Breed: Impact is first on our list, slated for no sooner than 6-3 for a PC release. The XBLA version of the game is a delicious top-down shooter complete with creepy Aliens, co-op action, and beautifully designed levels. Given the added time for the games PC release, we're hoping to see a nice clean port.

Tidalis is next up with a release date of 6-30. This game is a 2 player co-op puzzler that resembles nothing we've ever seen before. The mechanics work in a different way than most "connect 3" puzzle games, where you send a shock of sorts through same-color blocks, even if they're not adjacent. It will be interesting to see how we can work together to complete these challenges.

Fairytale Fights, one of the more disappointing titles of last year, will be making a final saving throw with its delayed release on the PC. If they fix the mechanics a bit for the PC release, there's no end to the fun possibilities with this dual-stick platforming beat-em-up.

Starcraft II: Wings of Libertywill finish off July with a bang - and may have me hiding in my bedroom for several weeks without human contact. Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but Blizzards fan-winning franchise will see its first full sequel on July 27th complete with 2 player online co-op.

Kane and Lynch: Dog Dayswill be our only co-op PC release for August, and it'll be a full title also available on the consoles.

As far as PC releases go, this covers our summer with a few full-titles, puzzles, and aliens.

XBLA/PSN

Next up is our XBLA/PSN releases. I'll be sure to tag these with which console you can find these titles on, hopefully most of them will be available to all co-op download gamers.

Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter is an XBLA title that was previously seen on the PC, but won't be making its way to the PSN anytime soon. The first game had generous first person controls, hilarious voice acting, and the good old Serious Sam charm. Hopefully our Second Encounter will be just as enjoyable.

Solnder X2 is a title that was just released, but didn't get much attention. It is a PSN exclusive that blends elements from the indie title Shoot 1Up as well as our beloved R-Type. A review should be up for this title shortly.

Spelunker HD appears to be one of those titles PSN users have been waiting for. 6 player co-op remade for the newer generation of gamer; Spelunker comes out of the NES era of gaming, complete with side-scrolling action and loads of old-school charm.

Earth Worm Jim will feature 4-player co-op for the XBLA and PSN users that grew up with that adorable space-suit sporting worm. I can't explain how excited I am for this title, there are not words.

PSP and DS releases are hard to keep up with, but we're sure someone out there is linking up to play some online co-op action. I for one will be checking out Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker, which released today. Otherwise, that completes our upcoming list of downloadable titles for this summer; hopefully XBLA annual Summer of Arcade will bring us some amazing new surprises as well.

This issue may seem a little stunted, I promise it's only because we're so busy bringing you great co-op discussions. After this short hiatus, we should be back to normal with the next issue. In the meantime, who's playing Earthworm Jim with me next week?